iTunes U crosses 1 billion downloads—have you used it?

2,500 public courses are available, so we're curious about Ars' study habits.

There are courses on practically every topic available for free through iTunes U.

iTunes users seem to generally fall into two camps when it comes to iTunes U: those who love it and use it all the time and those who are barely aware of its existence. As an iTunes U user myself, I never got the impression that the people who love it make up that large a group, but Apple's latest announcement has me rethinking that image. The company said on Thursday that there have been more than one billion iTunes U content downloads, with users consuming lectures, reading material, quizzes, and more from various educational institutions around the globe.

iTunes U was launched before the iPhone—mid-2007—though it has remained mostly under the radar until recent years. The original goal was to provide an easy digital medium for schools to distribute educational content for free. Once colleges and universities started getting on board, however, the general public began taking a greater interest in downloading courses and individual lectures.

In early 2012, Apple released a separate iTunes U app for iOS devices, splitting out the iTunes U content and functionality from iTunes into its own area on iPhones and iPads. It's unclear whether the app's release helped to boost the popularity of iTunes U, but at the very least it's likely it helped raise awareness about the offerings.

According to Apple SVP of Internet Software and Services Eddy Cue, there are more than 250,000 current students enrolled in courses that are on iTunes U—and undoubtedly plenty more users from the Internet. There are more than 2,500 public courses available "and thousands of private courses" from universities like Oxford, MIT, Yale, Stanford, Purdue (BTFU!), and others.

If you haven't had the opportunity yet, now's a good time to wander over to that section of the iTunes Store (or download the iTunes U app on your iOS device) to see what courses might strike your fancy. There are even some iPhone development courses available through iTunes U for those of you trying to learn how to break into the App Store.

Promoted Comments

I'm a medical student. For one of our classes, the professor posted podcasts publicly, and we use the platform (along with our issued iPads) to watch intro sessions {in lieu of going to a lecture} before we go in and hands-on work.

I personally am using it as a delivery platform for the current version of Stanford's iOS Development course. With the iTunes U app, you get push notifications when new videos or documents are posted. The app has a speed control preference (which for reasons surpassing understanding, is not available in iTunes on the computer). I also used the platform to take Stanford's intro Java course a year ago. iTunes U is the reason I was able to learn programming, so I think it's pretty great, but definitely could be enhanced.

Its native integration via first-party app on iOS isn't something that should be forgotten, as it makes all these sessions completely portable and very, very easy to access.

It's a great idea - in theory. However, since universities can use it as they see fit, you see a lot of instances where a course just uploaded lecture notes (and even then, it was over a year ago...). Some full courses are available, but I think a lot of universities / professors are hesitant to release course material for free through iTunes, especially if they is already another online service in use. Or they could just prefer their students to come to the actual class. Several of my professors distributed course notes, homework, etc. through WebCT.

One thing I have found extremely useful. In undergrad, I took a course in C through my CompSci department. Now that I'm done with school, I find myself wishing I had learned more computer programming. Stanford has their introductory programming courses, as well as their iOS development course available for free on iTunes U. I've been slowly making my way through the lectures, videos, and assignments, and while it's probably not the best substitute for a classroom, professor, and TA, I'm still expanding my programming knowledge. At least for my particular situation, I find iTunes U to be incredibly useful.

I think Apple missed an opportunity with iTunes U. The videos for the courses I looked at were simply taken straight from the university lectures for the same course. Long stretches of passive video watching with no or minimal interactivity and collaboration didn't appeal to me, so I passed on iTunes U. In contrast, I think Coursera has done a much better job of adapting classes for the medium -- and in a much shorter time on the market.

iTunes U may have 250,000 users within iTunes (and some unknown number by browser), but the class I'm taking on Coursera right now has 100,000 people enrolled in it -- and that's for one class.

Because it's free and doesn't cost you anything to use it. You also get the free stuff provided via ITunes (like the free tune / app of week and their 12 days of chrismas promotion)

As much as I despise the Apple DRM method, I still use iTunes as my preferred media library for audio/podcast file management over Windows Media Player, Media Monkey, etc.

Why? Because the one thing Apple got right (that WMP still does not on Win8) is the ability for me to save my iTunes Library on my NAS which means it's easy for me to access it on the multiple PCs I have. Also means multiple users can use a single database on their PCs (of course only 1 user can lock the database at a time).

I am speaking from bitter experience of trying to use Zune (love the interface) / Windows Media Player as an iTunes Replacement. Microsoft in their infinite wisdom expect each user to have their own database (and you can't fudge it) in their user profile. Why do I want separate databases for the same media collection? For this alone, I hate them so much. So its iTunes / Zune for syncing of devices at the moment.

Media monkey could prove to be a solution but I don't think it supports wireless sync of iOS + WP devices (which is what we use in our household)

I'm surprised Apple hasn't advertised this more - this is practically a gold mine they have here.It's already obviously popular, so it stands to reason that if its userbase grows, then its popularity will scale proportionately.

Because it's free and doesn't cost you anything to use it. You also get the free stuff provided via ITunes (like the free tune / app of week and their 12 days of chrismas promotion)

As much as I despise the Apple DRM method, I still use iTunes as my preferred media library for audio/podcast file management over Windows Media Player, Media Monkey, etc.

Why? Because the one thing Apple got right (that WMP still does not on Win8) is the ability for me to save my iTunes Library on my NAS which means it's easy for me to access it on the multiple PCs I have. Also means multiple users can use a single database on their PCs (of course only 1 user can lock the database at a time).

I am speaking from bitter experience of trying to use Zune (love the interface) / Windows Media Player as an iTunes Replacement. Microsoft in their infinite wisdom expect each user to have their own database (and you can't fudge it) in their user profile. Why do I want separate databases for the same media collection? For this alone, I hate them so much. So its iTunes / Zune for syncing of devices at the moment.

Media monkey could prove to be a solution but I don't think it supports wireless sync of iOS + WP devices (which is what we use in our household)

Anyhoo, iTunes, iTunes U have their uses!

I like Clementine. I think they have versions for Windows and Mac users, not sure though.

I'm surprised Apple hasn't advertised this more - this is practically a gold mine they have here.It's already obviously popular, so it stands to reason that if its userbase grows, then its popularity will scale proportionately.

I am reminded of a quote, "You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink". If a person is looking to learn believe me they will have the drive to find it.

So iTunes, Coursera, EduCity, et al are there to serve that purpose. You can't force someone to learn - they will despise you - it needs to come from within, so in that sense I feel there is really no need advertise it.

FWIW, I sent links to these services to family members who were feeling 'stuck'. I told them to find something they could do to get out of the funk. How many people actually did so? 1 out of 10 people.

Other - Refuse to install iTunes because I don't like all the background services that come with it and its other forced software (is Quicktime still a mandatory bundle too?). Simple as that. Otherwise I'd probably be all over it!

I'm a medical student. For one of our classes, the professor posted podcasts publicly, and we use the platform (along with our issued iPads) to watch intro sessions {in lieu of going to a lecture} before we go in and hands-on work.

I personally am using it as a delivery platform for the current version of Stanford's iOS Development course. With the iTunes U app, you get push notifications when new videos or documents are posted. The app has a speed control preference (which for reasons surpassing understanding, is not available in iTunes on the computer). I also used the platform to take Stanford's intro Java course a year ago. iTunes U is the reason I was able to learn programming, so I think it's pretty great, but definitely could be enhanced.

Its native integration via first-party app on iOS isn't something that should be forgotten, as it makes all these sessions completely portable and very, very easy to access.

Because it's free and doesn't cost you anything to use it. You also get the free stuff provided via ITunes (like the free tune / app of week and their 12 days of chrismas promotion)

As much as I despise the Apple DRM method, I still use iTunes as my preferred media library for audio/podcast file management over Windows Media Player, Media Monkey, etc.

Why? Because the one thing Apple got right (that WMP still does not on Win8) is the ability for me to save my iTunes Library on my NAS which means it's easy for me to access it on the multiple PCs I have. Also means multiple users can use a single database on their PCs (of course only 1 user can lock the database at a time).

I am speaking from bitter experience of trying to use Zune (love the interface) / Windows Media Player as an iTunes Replacement. Microsoft in their infinite wisdom expect each user to have their own database (and you can't fudge it) in their user profile. Why do I want separate databases for the same media collection? For this alone, I hate them so much. So its iTunes / Zune for syncing of devices at the moment.

Media monkey could prove to be a solution but I don't think it supports wireless sync of iOS + WP devices (which is what we use in our household)

Anyhoo, iTunes, iTunes U have their uses!

I like Clementine. I think they have versions for Windows and Mac users, not sure though.

Cool. Thanks. I never heard of this before. Will definitely check it out. I can live without 'wireless' syncing!

It's a great idea - in theory. However, since universities can use it as they see fit, you see a lot of instances where a course just uploaded lecture notes (and even then, it was over a year ago...). Some full courses are available, but I think a lot of universities / professors are hesitant to release course material for free through iTunes, especially if they is already another online service in use. Or they could just prefer their students to come to the actual class. Several of my professors distributed course notes, homework, etc. through WebCT.

One thing I have found extremely useful. In undergrad, I took a course in C through my CompSci department. Now that I'm done with school, I find myself wishing I had learned more computer programming. Stanford has their introductory programming courses, as well as their iOS development course available for free on iTunes U. I've been slowly making my way through the lectures, videos, and assignments, and while it's probably not the best substitute for a classroom, professor, and TA, I'm still expanding my programming knowledge. At least for my particular situation, I find iTunes U to be incredibly useful.

iTunes U is the only reason I have iTunes installed in my XP VM, and I don't use iTunes for anything else. It's the only way that I can get lectures from Reformed Theological Seminary, so I'm willing to tolerate it, but the interface could stand to be much better.

I'd much rather deal with individual websites instead of going through iTunes, but it's the only way I can get these particular lectures. (I say that as a Linux user that will otherwise not tolerate Apple.)

Regarding what's been said about DRM, I don't know if it's this way for everything on there, but everything I've gotten from iTunes U has been free (Apple doesn't even have a current credit card number from me) and in mp3 format (there are many videos on there, too, but I've never tried them). I listen to everything I get from iTunes U in my car via my Android phone.

Never heard of it, but then I don't participate in the apple ecosystem and loath iTunes for it's more mundane use as a media library manager. It's so terrible, I don't know how so many people just accept it as the default option.

iTunes is almost as invasive as realmedia used to be, adds so much unnecessary background crap.

Any chance of a review looking into this and similar (others have mentioned Coursera and EduCity in the comments) services? It would be nice to know more about the quality of the courses being offered, and which options are out there.

I just downloaded my first couple courses on a whim a few days ago. The first is "Exploring the Hobbit" . I may eventually go for more business / technical courses but I'm still just dipping my toes in.

I publish my lectures as podcasts for my students. Every now and then, someone decides to "help" me and submit a lecture series to iTunes U. Since Apple totally ignores takedown requests, I've been forced to put password protection on the lectures.

(I don't mind "the public" learning from my stuff; I've published quite a lot of it on the public web for precisely that purpose. However, a series of lectures is not a "course," I don't want it represented that way, and I want to be the one to decide what of my work Apple shall be allowed to publish.)

Nice selection, always something interesting to download, totally free. Apple should spend more time improving the interface and informing people of it's existence since it's really a nice and useful tool.

I started using it recently to learn iPhone programming. The Stanford lectures are quite good and they very easy to grasp. I started looking into other programming lectures and there is quite a range of stuff from graphics programming to game development. Very cool.

I checked out some of the introductory university chemistry courses offered when iTunesU first came out, and have sampled them periodically since then. As someone who has given many such lectures myself,* I found them disappointingly boring. I think this has been a huge wasted opportunity: yes, it's a convenient platform for providing videos of lectures to students who may have been unable to attend, or for subsequent review purposes, but the presentation of the lectures I sampled was pretty much a case study in how not to do on-line learning.

Any chance of a review looking into this and similar (others have mentioned Coursera and EduCity in the comments) services? It would be nice to know more about the quality of the courses being offered, and which options are out there.

Good grief. So many haters in this thread already. I use iTunes on both my Macs, and my Windows computers with no problems whatsoever. And the iTunes U content is FREE.

It's just sad that there are people that will click on any Apple topic just to thread crap all over it. Give it a rest kiddies. It doesn't make you look cool, or give you 'Geek Cred'. It just make you look like a jackass.

I can't help but chuckle at all the people who say iTunes is crap but then let on that they haven't used it in years, or as Linux users have never used it at all. I like particularly the linux user who thinks iTunes has a poor UI. He uses linux, a nice OS but the king of ugly UI. Do you people listen to what you're saying before you write it down?

I have found iTunesU to be very useful to me. I've been learning German and Spanish along with some chemistry and physics interests that I never had the time to pursue when I was in college. And a few refresher courses in thermodynamics and mechanical engineering was certainly helpful as well.

I would think that an instructor would find some of the methods of presentation to be very useful to emulate and adapt to their own course work. I certainly notice the presentation and compare it against some of my rather dry courses that I had taken.

Never heard of it, but then I don't participate in the apple ecosystem and loath iTunes for it's more mundane use as a media library manager. It's so terrible, I don't know how so many people just accept it as the default option.

iTunes is almost as invasive as realmedia used to be, adds so much unnecessary background crap.

I don't like the idea of courses requiring iTunes, given its limited availability (hopefully Android marketshare will be a barrier to adoption). Being forced to use MS Office is painful enough, although, thankfully, most of my professors accept rtf.

#2 if it's locked to Itunes only, not interested anyhow. Never installed it, never will.

Wake me up when the program goes device-neutral, or a good Android competitor comes available.

"Never used of it so I know nothing about it so I'm sure it's awful. I'll use it only when it's not tied to any device, or tied to my Android device." Do you have idea how ignorant those statements are?